Item of jewellery or clothing accessory having a mechanism for moving the stone

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an aesthetic or clothing accessory ( 10 ) comprising:—at least one element (100) secured to a mounting ( 200 ),—a support ( 300 ) for the mounting ( 200 ) of the element ( 100 ), and—a means ( 400 ) for holding the accessory ( 10 ) on a garment or part of the body, the means ( 400 ) for holding the accessory ( 10 ) being secured to the support ( 300 ), the accessory ( 10 ) being characterized in that:—the mounting ( 200 ) is mounted such that it can move along a closed-loop path about an axis X-X.

The invention relates generally to the field of aesthetic and clothing accessories, in particular the field of jewelry. The invention relates equally to the field of “costume” jewelry, that of watches or that of jewels.

PRIOR ART

The greatest diversity of offerings in the field of jewelry, watches or jewels is already known. The enterprises working in this field indeed present numerous endeavors to renew their supply and multiply the occasions to wear the accessories that they offer

There exists, however, certain standards in the field, such as for example the solitaire, a jewelry ring on which a single diamond is set.

This kind of jewelry offers little diversity, other than the size and shape of the stone, as well as the shape of the band and how it is set.

This jewelry also has a formal connotation, intimately tied to engagement and marriage, which tends to limit the opportunities to acquire it or wear it.

Certain products have been developed to renew this offering, proposing to retain cut but unset stones, in a support, for example mounted on a jewelry ring, the stones being held in the support by means of a cover such as, for example, a glass. Watches comprising such stones retained under the glass have also been developed.

However, such products do not enable the stones to shine in their natural brilliance because the presence of the glass alters the natural propagation of light.

In addition, in order that the stones always present the brightest and most luminescent surface possible, size possibilities (that is to say of form conferred by the piece) are limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention sought by the applicant is renewing the jeweler offer, while maintaining the shine and luster of the stones used.

Another object of the present invention is applicability to a wide range of accessories, in fields such as watches or jewelry, while presenting a common and clearly recognizable identity.

In this regard, the invention provides an aesthetic or clothing accessory comprising:

at least one element connected to a mounting,

a support for the mounting of the element, and

a means for holding for the accessory on a garment or part of the body, the means for holding for the accessory being connected to the support,

the accessory being characterized in that:

the mounting is mounted to move along a closed path closed loop about an X-X axis.

Advantageously, but optionally, the invention comprises at least one of the following characteristics:

the closed loop path is a turn about the X-X axis,

the accessory being characterized in that the support has a housing whose shape corresponds to the movement path of the mounting, and a groove adjacent the housing (301) so that it opens up in a direction toward the mounting provided with the element, the mounting being moveably mounted by means of an arm radial to the X-X axis, and of which a first end is connected to the mounting and a second end is engaged in the aforementioned housing through the groove,

the housing is a concavity having convergent edges, the aforementioned edges converging forming the through groove,

the housing is defined by a gap between two regions of the support, respectively lower and upper connected to a spacer means parallel to the X-X axis, the arm having a grommet adapted to pivot about the aforementioned spacer,

wherein the groove is opened out in a direction towards the X-X axis, the end of the arm connected to the mounting being in this case radially proximal to the X-X axis, and the end of the arm engaged in the housing being in this case radially distal from the X-X axis,

the through groove is opposed to the X-X axis with respect to the housing, the end of the arm connected to the mounting being in this case radially distal from the X-X axis, and the end of the arm engaged in the housing being in this case radially proximal the X-X axis,

the arm is provided, on its second end with, a protuberance forming a counterweight to the mounting provided with the element,

the lower area comprises a base in the shape of a truncated sphere centered on the X-X axis, surmounted by a peripheral wall defining an internal cavity, the aforementioned wall itself having a ledge in a direction of the X-X axis, the upper region is a circular plate positioned between the base and ledge of the lower zone, supporting the mounting provided with the element positioned in the aforementioned cavity, and the arm comprises a first segment positioned between the plate and ledge, a second segment positioned between the base and the plate, and a third segment, transverse to the first and second section connecting these, and positioned between an edge of the plate and the wall,

the element is set in the mounting,

the accessory being a jewelry ring, and the means for holding for the accessory being a band adapted to enable passage of the jewelry ring to a finger.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which will follow, in view of the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show schematically two models of jewelry rings made according to the invention,

FIG. 1 c diagrammatically shows a watch model made according to the invention,

FIGS. 2 a to 2 d are partial schematic cross sectional views of various implementation modes of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aesthetic or clothing accessory according to the present invention can be any type of accessory developed into, for example, jewelry, jewels or watches, which can be worn on clothing or a part of the body, decoratively and/or functionally. By way of non-limiting example, it can concern a jewelry ring, bracelet, necklace, watch etc.

With reference to FIGS. 1 a to 1 c, the particular implementation modes of the aesthetic or clothing accessory 10 according to the present invention are shown.

It preferably comprises at least one element 100 connected to a mounting 200, a support 300 for the mounting 200 and a means 400 for holding the accessory 10 to a garment or a part of the body.

For example, if the accessory is a jewelry ring, as shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the means for holding 400 is preferably a band, made for example of precious metal (such a gold, silver, platinum, etc.), of plastic material, or of plant material.

Alternatively, and with reference to FIG. 1 c, the accessory 10 can be a watch, in which case the means for holding 400 is the bracelet of the watch.

Of course, the invention is not limited to these implementation modes, and the means for holding 400 can again be a necklace or bracelet base, even a pin, a clip, or any functionally equivalent means.

The element 100 is preferably a precious stone (such as diamond, a ruby , an emerald or a sapphire), a fine stone (for example peridot, citrine, or aquamarine) or an ornamental stone (for example lapis lazuli or turquoise). It is not, however, limited to these implementations, and can for example be made of glass for costume jewelry.

It can be any size and any shape.

In addition, the element 100 is preferably set in the mounting 200 according to any known technique. It can nevertheless be glued or fastened to the mounting 200 by any other known means.

According to the invention, the mounting 200, provided with the element 100, is mounted movably relative to the support 300 along a closed loop path about an X-X axis shown for example in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 2. This movement of the mounting 200 is preferably a turn about the X-X axis, but it can also be an oval or polygon path whose edges are curved, or any other closed loop path, that is to say any path where the mounting 200 can travel, from a starting point, a complete path to returning to his starting point, without backing up along this path.

The displacement of the mounting relative to the support 300 is achieved using by guide means included in the accessory 10 and which are described below.

In order to enable the turning of the mounting 200, and with reference to FIGS. 2 a-2 d, the support 300 includes a housing 301 having a shape corresponding to the path of the movement of the mounting 200, in order to enable its guidance. This is preferably a closed loop shape about the X-X axis. The closed loop defined by the housing 301 can be circular, centered or not centered on the X-X axis so that movement of the mounting 200 is revolutionary, or alternatively the closed loop can be of oval or polygon shaped with curved edges, or any other closed loop shape.

The support 300 further comprises a groove 302, also in a closed loop, for example with a revolution centered on the X-X axis, which is adjacent to the housing 301 in order to open it in the direction of the mounting 200 provided with the element 100. In the following, it is thus called thus through groove 302.

According to a preferred implementation mode of the invention, the turning of the mounting 200, provided with the element 100, is provided by means of an arm 500 that is radial with respect to the X-X axis in the case of turning movement about this axis. More generally, the arm 500 preferably has, on a portion between the mounting 200 and the groove 302, a middle axis Y-Y inscribed in a plane S1 orthogonal to the X-X axis. This plane S1 can also constitute a middle plane of the through groove 302.

The arm 500 has a first end 501 connected to the mounting 200 and a second end 502 engaged in the housing 301 via the groove 302.

Preferably, the end 502 of the arm 500 engaged in the recess 301 has a cross section smaller than that of the housing, but greater than the opening defined by the groove 302, so that this end 502 can remain engaged in the housing, and thus the mounting 200 and element 100 are maintained in the loop formed by the housing 301.

In particular, the arm 500 can comprise, near its second end 502 engaged in the housing 301, a puterberance 510 enabling for the holding of the end 502 in the housing, but also enabling the making of a counterweight of the mounting equipped with the element 100, to prevent it from remaining locked in a fixed position.

The assembly constituted by the mounting 200, the arm 201 and the puterberance 510 is preferably made of a common material, advantageously a metal enabling making these three elements together.

As shown in FIGS. 1 a, 2 a and 2 b, the groove 302 can be opened out in the direction of the X-X axis around which the element 100 connected to the mounting 200 is turned, so that the element 100 is located between the X-X axis and the support 300. The end 502 of the arm engaged in the housing 301 is in this case an end radially distal from the X-X axis, as opposed to the end 501 of the arm connected to the mounting 200 that is radially proximal to the X-X axis.

Alternatively, the groove 302 can open from the opposite side of the support 300 opposed to the X-X axis, so that the mounting 200 provided with the element 100 is movable about the support 300. This is the case in FIGS. 1 b, 1 c, 2 c and 2 d. According to this implementation mode, the end 502 of the arm 500 engaged in the housing 301 is radially proximal to the X-X axis, while the end of the arm 501 connected to the mounting 200 is radially distal mounting the X-X axis.

The mechanism for moving the mounting 200 can itself be made in different ways.

For example, and with reference to FIG. 2 a, the housing 301 of the support 300 can be concavity with converging edges, whose edges define the groove 302. In this case, the end 502 of the arm 500 slides into the housing 301, by following the path defined by the shape of the housing 301, thus causing the displacement of the mounting 200.

This implementation mode is very restrictive regarding the shape of the support 300 as well as the shape of the housing 301. All kinds of movement trajectories of the mounting 200 can be made by making a housing 301 having corresponding shape. The shape of the housing 301 can also be adapted to any form of support 300 for any type of accessory 10.

Alternatively, and with reference to FIGS. 2 b and 2 c, the housing 301 can be defined by a gap positioned between a lower portion 310 and an upper portion 320 of the support 300, connected by a spacer 330.

The spacer 330 is preferably central, parallel to the X-X axis, and cylindrical, so that the end 502 of the arm 500 engaged in the housing 301 can have an orifice 503 adapted to provide a pivotal connection about the spacer 330. This is the pivotal connection that enables in this implementation mode the driving of the mounting 200 turning about the X-X axis.

Preferred implementation modes of the present invention will continuously be described.

Referring to FIG. 2 b, the support 300 has, as mentioned above, a lower portion 310 and an upper portion 320 joined by a cylindrical central spacer 330, parallel to the X-X axis and centered on it.

In particular, the lower part 310 comprises a base 311 in the shape of a truncated sphere, in order to present, on one side, a flat and circular surface. On a peripheral portion of this surface is located peripheral wall 312 preferably having annular shape, or any other shape that continuously extends the edges of the base 311, and which defines an internal cavity 340 in the support 300. This annular wall 312 preferably has an annular flange 313 centered on the X-X axis parallel to the upper surface of the truncated sphere 311 and extending toward the X-X axis. This annular flange 313 can also be extended by an annular ring 314 extending parallel to the annular wall 312 or parallel to the X-X axis, and in a direction of the base 311 of the lower portion 310.

The upper part 320 itself comprises a circular plate 330 attached to the spacer and extending perpendicularly to the X-X axis. This plate 320 is of smaller radius than the internal radius 312 of the lower annular wall 312 of the lower part, so that it is located in the cavity 340 defined by it. The flange 313 and the ring 314 overlap an exterior peripheral zone of the plate 320 so that the periphery of the plate 320 cannot be seen from the exterior.

In this implementation mode, the housing 301 comprises the gap between the plate 320 and the base 311 of the lower portion 310, extended by the gap between the plate 320 and the annular wall 312. The through groove 302 is itself defined by the gap between the plate 320 and the ring 314 of the lower portion 310 or by the gap between the plate 320 and the annular flange 313. The mounting 200, provided with the element 100, in this case rests on the plate 320, in the cavity 340 defined by the wall 312, and against a ledge formed by the crown 314 of the lower portion 310.

The turning movement of the mounting 200 about the X-X axis is realized by means of the arm 500 connected to the mounting 200, which in this case comprises three substantially straight portions 520.

A first portion 521 extends from the first end 501 of the arm connected to the mounting 200 with the groove 302. This portion 521 is positioned between the plate 320 and the ledge 313. A second portion 522, comprising a grommet 503 adapted for pivoting about the spacer 303 extends from the second end 502 of the arm 500, with the gap between the wall 312 and the plate 320. It is positioned between the base 311 of the lower part 310 and the plate 320. Finally, these two portions 521 and 522, preferably transverse to the X-X axis, are interconnected by a third portion 523 transverse to the first two, preferably parallel to the X-X axis, which is positioned between an edge of the plate 320 and the wall 312.

The counterweight forming puterberance 510 is connected to the grommet 503, in diametrically opposite position to the portion 522 of the arm 500.

In order that this implementation mode be an innovative form of solitaire, the element 100 can be a single diamond.

Alternatively, there can be multiple elements 100A, 1008, etc. connected to mountings 200A, 200B, etc. and to arms 500A, 500B, etc. respectively, on a common support 300. In this case, the grommet 503 at the end 502 of an arm 500 can be common to all the arms 500A, 500B, etc. so that the elements 100A, 1008, etc. are interconnected and actuated by a common movement.

Alternatively, the arms 500A, 500B, etc. can be distinct in order for the 100 elements to move independently.

In order to make this assembly, one can separately make:

the base 311 of the truncated sphere 310 supplemented by the wall 312 and also provided with a central orifice adapted to receive the spacer 330,

the annular flange 313 optionally supplemented with the ring 314, complementary fastening means for example by engagement being provided first on the annular flange 313 and second on the wall 312,

the plate 320, receiving the spacer 330,

the arms 500 and the mounting 200 made together, the arm 500 being provided with the grommet 503 in order to pivot about the spacer 330.

The assembly is then made by threading the grommet 503 on the spacer 330 of the plate 320, and then placing this assembly thus made on the base 311, by threading the spacer 330 through the central orifice of this base.

The annular flange 313 is placed on the wall 312 of the truncated sphere 310 by engagement means designed for this purpose.

The base 311 can be connected to a means for fixing 400 of the accessory before or after these steps.

According to another implementation mode of the invention, shown in FIG. 2 a, the support 300 comprises a circular plate 350, centered on the X-X axis, surmounted on one side by an annular structure 360 positioned on the outer periphery of the aforementioned plate. This annular structure 360 defines a central cavity 340 having substantially cylindrical shape and centered on the X-X axis.

According to this implementation mode, the annular structure 360 has a groove with converging edges forming the housing 301 of the support 300. The space between the converging edges of the groove defines the groove 302, which open in a direction in a direction of the central cavity 340 defined by the annular structure 360, and which is located approximately mid-height of the groove 301 and of the annular structure 360.

The arm 500 connected to the mounting 200 is in this case radially about the X-X axis, and its end 502 radially distant from the X-X axis is engaged in the groove 301. The mounting 200, provided with the element 100 is thus turnably mounted about the X-X axis by sliding in the groove 301. It rests on the circular plate of the support 300 and is further held in the cavity by a flange formed by the annular structure.

In this implementation mode, one or multiple elements 100A, 100B, etc., mounted on corresponding mountings 200A, 200B, etc., can be used, each mounting being connected to a corresponding arm 500A, 500B, etc. engaged in the housing 301 of a common support.

The arms 500 can be distinct, so that the movement of each mounting is autonomous, or they can be connected together by their ends 502 engaged in the housing 301, for example by a ledge (not shown in the figures) in order to be actuated by a homogeneous movement.

According to an alternative implementation mode shown in FIGS. 1 b and 2 c, the support 300 can have a generally spherical shape. The lower portion 310 of the support can be a truncated sphere, for example a hemisphere, and the upper portion 320 can be the complementary sphere part, for example another hemisphere. In this case the housing 301 of the support 300 is the gap between the two sphere portions, and the groove 302 can be considered as part of the gap opening out towards the outside.

In this implementation mode the two portions, respectively lower 310 and upper 320, are connected by a central spacer 330, having cylindrical, parallel form and preferably centered on the X-X axis. The arm 500 is straight and radial about the X-X axis. Its end 502 comprises a grommet 530 adapted for rotationally pivoting about the spacer 330.

According to an alternative implementation mode shown in FIG. 2 d, the sphere shaped 300 support can a groove having converging edges defining the housing 301 positioned, for example, mid-height of the sphere 300, and in proximity to its periphery so that the converging edges of the groove defining the groove 302 which opens in a direction of the environment exterior to the sphere, radially opposed to the X-X axis.

The arm 500 is in this case radially relative to the X-X axis, and its end 501 connected to the mounting 200 is proximal relative to the X-X axis.

The same as above, multiple elements 100A, 100B, etc. can be used, mounted in corresponding mountings 200 a, 200 b, etc. connected to corresponding arms 500A, 500B, etc. The arms 500 can be distinct, so that the mountings 200 are put in motion independently, or they can be connected together by their ends 502 engaged in the housing 301 of the support.

The invention thus allows making of accessories 10 of all types and for all occasions, especially new and original forms of solitaries, enabling renewal of offering in this field.

In addition, since the element, particularly in the case of a stone, is hold attached to the support, it can be displaced in free movement without being retained by a window, and thus retain its radiance for an observer. Therefore, the size of the stone can be any known size.

Finally, the possibilities of variations of the present invention are quite varied, since the number, the size (in terms of size and in terms of cut), the color of the stones forming the elements 100, as well as the form of the support and the arrangement of stones relative it, can be infinitely varied. 

1. An aesthetic or clothing accessory comprising: an element connected to a mounting, a support for the mounting of the element, and a means for holding for the accessory on a garment or part of the body, the means for holding for the accessory being connected to the support, the mounting being mounted to move along a closed loop path about an X-X axis, the accessory being characterized in that the support has a housing whose shape corresponds to the movement path of the mounting, and a groove adjacent the housing so that it opens up in a direction toward the mounting provided with the element, the mounting being moveably mounted by an arm radial to the X-X axis, and of which a first end is connected to the mounting and a second end is engaged in the aforementioned housing through the groove.
 2. An accessory according to claim 1, wherein the closed loop path is a turn about the X-X axis.
 3. An accessory according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned housing is a concavity having convergent edges, the aforementioned edges converging forming the through groove.
 4. An accessory according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned housing is defined by a gap between two regions of the support, respectively lower and upper connected to a spacer parallel to the X-X axis, the arm having a grommet adapted to pivot about the aforementioned spacer.
 5. An accessory according to claim 1, wherein the groove opens out in a direction towards the X-X axis, the end of the arm connected to the mounting being in this case radially proximal to the X-X axis, and the end of the arm engaged in the housing being in this case radially distal from the X-X axis.
 6. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein the through groove is opposed to the X-X axis with respect to the housing, the end of the arm connected to the mounting being in this case radially distal from the X-X axis, and the end of the arm engaged in the housing being in this case radially proximal to the X-X axis.
 7. An accessory according to claim 1, wherein the arm is further provided, on its second end with, a protuberance forming a counterweight to the mounting provided with the element.
 8. An accessory according to claim 4, wherein: the lower area comprises a base in the shape of a truncated sphere centered on the X-X axis, surmounted by a peripheral wall defining an internal cavity, the aforementioned wall itself having a ledge in a direction of the X-X axis, the upper region is a circular plate positioned between the base and ledge of the lower zone, supporting the mounting provided with the element positioned in the aforementioned cavity, and the arm comprises a first segment positioned between the plate and ledge, a second segment positioned between the base and the plate, and a third segment, transverse to the first and second section connecting these, and positioned between an edge of the plate and the wall.
 9. An accessory according to claim 1, wherein the element is set in the mounting.
 10. An accessory according to claim 1, the accessory being a jewelry ring, and the means for holding for the accessory being a band adapted to enable passage of the jewelry ring to a finger. 